As the fall season approaches, so does the beloved holiday, Halloween. Filled with costumes, screams, and spirit, Universal throws its own twist to celebrate the holiday every year with Halloween Horror Nights (HHN). This special event has been around for over three decades and shows no signs of stopping; instead, it becomes bigger each year. With the release of new movies and media, the themed haunted houses and areas are never-ending with HHN. With their gates opening soon from August 29th to November 2nd, let’s check out what is to be expected!
The most iconic feature of HHN are their haunted houses, and this year they are introducing 10 new ones!
One of the most anticipated houses is Five Nights at Freddy’s (FNAF). With the second movie releasing in December, visitors will try their luck walking through where possessed animatronics lurk. “I’ve never been to HHN before and I’m most excited for the FNAF house!” Seminole High School senior, Prisni Nawala, shares: “I’m most scared of seeing Art the Clown and the wet part of his house. I think a Scream franchise house would be cool or a paranormal activity one.”
The Terrifier house will be based on the new slasher trilogy featuring Art the Clown. There will be two paths guests can follow, whether that be the wet path or the dry path, leaving guests curious as to how it will play out. Explore the Jason Universe in the next themed house following the Jason movies and the iconic places featured, such as the summer camp and shack where evil doesn’t stay dead. Then travel to the future in the Fallout-themed house based on the video game and TV show adaptation, where you escape mutated animals and creatures as you try your best to make it to the surface.
Another collaboration with HHN will be WWE presenting The Horrors of The Wyatt Sticks, a group of backwoods maniacs that WWE Superstar Bray Wyatt devised before his passing. Along the path of the domain, you will be stalked by five of the maniacs while trying to make it out. The house can be seen as a tribute to the late Bray as his ideas are carried throughout the house.
The original Galkin: Monsters of the North house is inspired by Viking lore, and visitors will attempt to escape a mysterious being risen from the dead and the many monsters that follow. Universal puts a twist on the house El Artista, where a man’s art comes alive and possesses him. Inspired by a story from last year’s previous house, Hatchet & Chains: Demon Bounty Hunters, where you flee from red-hot lava demons, and your only hope is weapons from Hatchet and Chains. Dolls are always creepy, but Universal takes it up a notch with the Dolls: Let’s Play Dead house, where you will be terrorized by all kinds of messed-up toys. The last house this year is the Grave of Flesh, which will have you sent to the Underworld and running from flesh-eaters of the dead.
Scare zones are another big part of HHN, serving as the place where guests cross through, going from place to place. Some scare zones to be expected this year include being chased by mutated monsters in Toxic Twenties, trick-or-treaters turned felines in the Cat Lady of Crooked Lane, dancing with vampires in the Masquerade: Dance With Death, and monsters throughout The Origins of Horror.
Whether you have been already or not, HHN is an event you won’t forget. Tickets are on sale now for select dates, so make sure to buy them soon before they are gone!